President Trump Calls on Congress For a Bipartisan School Choice Bill
"We must enrich the mind, and the souls, of every American child. Education is the civil rights issue of our time," Trump said. "I am calling upon Members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children. These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school that is right for them."
"Joining us tonight in the gallery is a remarkable woman, Denisha Merriweather. As a young girl, Denisha struggled in school and failed third grade twice. But then she was able to enroll in a private center for learning, with the help of a tax credit scholarship program. Today, she is the first in her family to graduate, not just from high school, but from college. Later this year she will get her masters degree in social work," the President continued. "We want all children to be able to break the cycle of poverty just like Denisha."
Trump's call for the legislation comes just hours after signing an executive order promoting "excellence and innovation at historically black colleges and universities."